Differential device

Abstract

The invention provides a differential device which can improve regeneration efficiency even if a differential limiting part is provided. A differential device (1) is provided with: a rotatable differential case (7); a pinion gear (11) that is rotatably supported within the differential case (7) and revolves by the rotation of the differential case (7); a pair of side gears (13, 15) that mesh with the pinion gear (11) and are rotatable relative to each other; and sliding surfaces (33, 43) that are provided between the differential case (7) and the side gears (13, 15) and that use sliding surfaces (33, 43). And a differential restricting part (5) for restricting the differential motion of the pair of side gears (13, 15) by the sliding of the pair of side gears (13, 15), in which an urging member (47) for urging the sliding surfaces (33, 43) of the differential restricting part (5) in the direction in which the sliding surfaces (33, 43) are separated is disposed between the differential case (7) and the side gears (13, 15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a differential device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, differential devices include a differential housing that is rotatable, a pinion that is rotatably supported within the differential housing and revolves around the differential housing by its rotation, and a pair of side gears that mesh with the pinion and are rotatable relative to it. Furthermore, a device is known that includes a differential limiting part disposed between the differential housing and the side gears, which limits the differential movement of the pair of side gears by sliding a sliding surface (see Patent Document 1). In this differential device, the sliding surface of the differential limiting part slides, thus limiting the differential movement of the pair of side gears. Limiting the differential movement of the pair of side gears prevents wheel spin and improves vehicle passability.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-124264 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the differential device described in Patent Document 1, when the vehicle is moving without inputting driving force from the electric motor (which serves as the drive source) to the differential housing, a pair of side gears rotate due to rotation from the wheel side. This rotation of the side gears becomes a regenerative force that rotates the differential housing, thereby charging the power supply via the electric motor (as defined in this invention). However, if the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting section is high, the regenerative efficiency decreases compared to cases with lower differential limiting characteristics, such as so-called open differentials without a differential limiting section.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the problems existing in the prior art. Moreover, the object of the present invention is to provide a differential device that can improve regeneration efficiency even when having a differential limiting part.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The differential device of this embodiment includes: a differential housing configured to rotate; a pinion that is rotatably supported within the differential housing and revolves by rotating the differential housing; a pair of side gears that mesh with the pinion and are rotatable relative to it; and a differential limiting part disposed between the differential housing and the side gears, which limits the differential of the pair of side gears by sliding the sliding surface; and a force-applying member disposed between the differential housing and the side gears that applies force to the sliding surface of the differential limiting part in a direction of separation.

[0011] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0012] According to the present invention, a differential device can be provided that can improve regeneration efficiency even when having a differential limiting part. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the differential device in this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a graph showing the change in load of the force-applying component of the differential device in this embodiment relative to the amount of deflection.

[0015] Figure 3 This is the TBR line of the differential device in this embodiment.

[0016] Symbol Explanation

[0017] 1—Differential device, 5—Differential limiting part, 7—Differential housing, 11—Pin gear, 13, 15—Side gears, 29—Gear components, 31—Actuating components, 33, 43—Sliding surfaces, 39—Cam part, 43—Sliding surface, 47—Force-applying components, 49—Bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, the differential device of this embodiment will be described in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the dimensions in the drawings are sometimes exaggerated and differ from the actual dimensions.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the differential device 1 in this embodiment is, for example, disposed between an electric motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source and the left and right wheels (not shown). The driving force from the electric motor is transmitted to the differential device 1 via a transmission (not shown), and the driving force is distributed to the left and right wheels via a pair of output shafts (not shown). On the other hand, when the vehicle is moving without inputting driving force from the electric motor, the regenerative force from the wheels is input to the electric motor via the differential device 1, and the electric motor charges a power source (not shown) such as a battery or accumulator.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, the differential device 1 includes a differential mechanism 3 and a differential limiting part 5.

[0021] The differential mechanism 3 includes a differential housing 7, a pinion shaft 9, a pinion 11, and a pair of side gears 13 and 15.

[0022] The differential housing 7 is, for example, constructed with a split structure having a housing body 17 and a cover 19. The housing body 17 has an opening on one axial side, which mainly forms the internal space of the differential housing 7. The cover 19 is disposed on the housing body 17 such that after the various components are housed inside the opening of the housing body 17, the opening of the housing body 17 is sealed, and it is integrally fixed to the housing body 17 by means of multiple bolts or other fixing components.

[0023] The differential housing 7 is driven by a driving force from an electric motor and is configured in a drive path that regenerates the regenerative force from the wheels to the electric motor. The differential housing 7 is rotatably supported by stationary components (not shown) such as a gear carrier via bearings (not shown) on the outer periphery of the protrusions 21 and 23 formed on both axial sides. A flange portion 25 with a fixed gear ring (not shown) is formed in the differential housing 7. The gear ring fixed to the flange portion 25 meshes with a power transmission gear (not shown) that transmits the driving force from the electric motor, transmitting the driving force and causing the differential housing 7 to rotate. A pinion shaft 9, a pinion 11, and a pair of side gears 13 and 15 are housed and arranged within the differential housing 7.

[0024] The end of the pinion shaft 9 engages with a hole formed in the differential housing 7 and is prevented from disengaging and rotating by a pin 27, and is integrally driven to rotate with the differential housing 7. Furthermore, the pinion shaft 9 may consist of one long pinion shaft 9, but is not limited to this; it may also consist of one long pinion shaft 9 and two short pinion shafts 9. In this case, a hole is provided in the center of the long pinion shaft 9, and the ends of the two short pinion shafts 9 are engaged with the hole, allowing them to be integrally driven to rotate with the differential housing 7. Alternatively, other existing structures such as four short pinion shafts 9 may also be used. A pinion 11 is supported on each of the two ends of the pinion shaft 9.

[0025] Multiple pinions 11 (two in this case) are arranged at equal intervals around the differential housing 7, and are supported on the end side of the pinion shaft 9, respectively, and revolve by rotating the differential housing 7. The pinions 11 transmit driving force to a pair of side gears 13 and 15, and are rotatably supported by the pinion shaft 9 so that the pinions 11 are driven by rotation when the meshing pair of side gears 13 and 15 rotate differentially.

[0026] A pair of side gears 13 and 15 are rotatably housed within the differential housing 7. The pair of side gears 13 and 15 are each composed of a gear component 29 and an actuating component 31. Furthermore, in the pair of side gears 13 and 15, the gear component 29 and the actuating component 31 are formed symmetrically from left to right, therefore, the following description will mainly focus on one side and omit the description of the other side.

[0027] The gear component 29 is formed in a ring shape, and a gear portion that meshes with the pinion 11 is formed on its outer peripheral side. The gear component 29 transmits driving force from the pinion 11 to a pair of side gears 13 and 15 by meshing with the pinion 11. In addition, the pinion 11 is rotated when the pair of side gears 13 and 15 rotate at different speeds.

[0028] The actuating member 31 is formed in a concave annular shape to accommodate a portion of the axial direction of the gear member 29, so that it can be configured close to the gear member 29 in the axial direction. A sliding surface 33, which is conically inclined in the axial direction, is provided on the radially outer portion of the actuating member 31 on its outer diameter side. In the pair of side gears 13 and 15, spline-shaped output portions 35 and 37 are formed on the inner circumferential side of the actuating member 31, which can be rotatably connected to the pair of output shafts. The actuating member 31 outputs the driving force input from the differential housing 7 to the pair of side gears 13 and 15 via the wheels on the left and right sides of the pair of output shafts.

[0029] A cam portion 39 is provided between the gear component 29 and the actuating component 31 along their axial direction to convert torque into axial thrust. The cam portion 39 is composed of multiple engaging recesses provided on the inner circumference of the gear component 29 and multiple engaging protrusions provided on the outer circumference of the actuating component 31 that can engage with the multiple engaging recesses. The cam portion 39 enables the gear component 29 and the actuating component 31 to rotate as a unit by engaging the opposing engaging surfaces of the multiple engaging recesses and the multiple engaging protrusions, which are composed of planar or curved surfaces. The cam portion 39 has the function of transmitting drive force by transmitting the drive torque input to the differential housing 7 to the wheel side.

[0030] On the other hand, in the cam portion 39, the engagement surfaces of the plurality of engagement recesses and the plurality of engagement protrusions in the direction of rotation become cam surfaces inclined at a predetermined angle. When the cam surface of the cam portion 39 receives a driving force (input torque) from the electric motor into the differential housing 7, the driving force is branched from the pinion 11 to a pair of side gears 13, 15, causing the cam portion 39 to move the actuating member 31 axially outward. On the other hand, when there is no driving force input from the electric motor but a regenerative force (sometimes referred to as "regenerative torque" hereinafter) is input to the pair of side gears 13, 15 from the wheel side, the cam portion 39 moves, causing the actuating member 31 to move axially outward. Through the axial movement of the actuating member 31 based on the cam portion 39, the differential limiting force of the pair of differential limiting portions 5, 5 disposed between the differential housing 7 and the pair of side gears 13, 15 can be increased and strengthened.

[0031] The cam surfaces on both sides of the rotation direction of the cam section 39 are set with different cam angles. By setting the cam angle of the cam section 39 differently according to the rotation direction, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5 can be different when driving force and regenerative force are input. For example, the cam angle of the cam surface in the direction of input driving force (input torque) is set to make the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5 higher. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling using driving force from the electric motor, the differential limiting section 5 with higher differential limiting characteristics can improve the vehicle's passability. The cam angle of the cam surface in the direction of input regenerative force (regenerative torque) is set to make the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5 lower. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling without driving force input from the electric motor, the differential limiting section 5 with lower differential limiting characteristics can improve the regeneration efficiency from the electric motor to the power source. By setting the cam angle of the cam section 39 differently according to the rotation direction, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5 can be different according to the vehicle's driving state.

[0032] A pair of differential limiting parts 5, 5 are disposed between the differential housing 7 and a pair of side gears 13, 15. Furthermore, the pair of differential limiting parts 5, 5 are formed symmetrically from left to right; therefore, the following description will focus on one side only, omitting the description of the other. The differential limiting part 5 has a conical ring 41 that slides against each other and an actuating member 31.

[0033] The conical ring 41 is disposed relative to the differential housing 7 at positions corresponding to the sliding surfaces 33 of the actuating members 31 of a pair of side gears 13 and 15. The conical ring 41 rotates integrally with the differential housing 7 by engaging multiple protrusions formed circumferentially on its inner circumferential side with recesses formed on the inner wall surface of the differential housing 7. A sliding surface 43 that is conically inclined in the axial direction is provided on the portion of the conical ring 41 opposite to the sliding surface 33 of the actuating member 31.

[0034] In the differential limiting section 5, the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 slide according to the magnitude of the driving force (input torque) input to the differential housing 7 or the regenerative force (regenerative torque) input to the pair of side gears 13 and 15. At this time, the sliding friction of the sliding surfaces 33 and 43, which are the differential limiting force of the differential limiting section 5, is increased and strengthened by the cam thrust of the cam section 39. The differential limiting section 5 transmits frictional torque between the differential housing 7 and the pair of side gears 13 and 15 in accordance with the magnitude of the cam thrust, thus limiting the differential of the differential mechanism 3. Such a differential limiting section 5 is a conical clutch type in torque-sensing friction clutches. The cam thrust of the cam section 39, acting on the side opposite to the differential limiting section 5 in the axial direction, is input to the thrust block 45.

[0035] A pinion shaft 9 is inserted between the axial axes of a pair of side gears 13 and 15 in a thrust block 45, forming a cylindrical shape along the axial axis of the side gears 13 and 15. The axial ends of a pair of actuating members 31 and 31 are respectively inserted between the axial axes of the thrust block 45 and supported radially by the pair of actuating members 31 and 31. The axial end faces of a pair of gear members 29 and 29 abut against the axial end faces of the side gears 13 and 15 of the thrust block 45, respectively. Through this contact with the pair of gear members 29 and 29, a load acting axially inward on the pair of gear members 29 and 29 by the cam thrust of the cam portion 39 is input to the thrust block 45. The thrust block 45, positioned between the pair of side gears 13 and 15, can stably bear the cam thrust of the cam portion 39, thereby stabilizing the differential limiting characteristic (intermittent characteristic) of the differential limiting portion 5.

[0036] Here, in the differential device 1, when the vehicle is moving without inputting driving force from the electric motor, regenerative force is input from the wheels to a pair of side gears 13, 15 based on settings below a predetermined speed and below a predetermined torque, and this regenerative force is regenerated to the electric motor via the differential housing 7. However, if the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting section 5 is high, the regeneration efficiency to the electric motor is reduced compared to cases with lower differential limiting characteristics, such as so-called open differentials without the differential limiting section 5. Therefore, a force-applying member 47 is disposed between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13, 15 to reduce the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting section 5 when regeneration to the electric motor is performed.

[0037] The force-applying component 47 can be selected from various structures considering the characteristics of the force and the advantages of its configuration, but it can be, for example, made of disc springs and disposed axially between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13 and 15. The force-applying component 47 is radially supported on the axial outer side of the flange portion 32 on the outer periphery of the actuating component 31 of the side gears 13 and 15. A bearing 49, which allows relative rotation, is disposed between the differential housing 7 and the force-applying component 47 via gaskets 48, 48 disposed on both axial sides of annular plates. The bearing 49 disposed between the force-applying component 47 and the differential housing 7 can suppress slippage between the force-applying component 47 and the differential housing 7, thereby stabilizing the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting portion 5. In addition, the pair of gaskets 48, 48 disposed on both axial sides of the bearing 49 are clamped to stabilize the operating characteristics of the force-applying component 47 and the bearing 49, but either or both can be removed.

[0038] The force-applying component 47 applies force to the actuating component 31 of the opposing gears 13 and 15 axially inward. The direction of the force applied by the force-applying component 47 to the actuating component 31 is in the direction of the cam thrust of the cam portion 39. By applying force to the actuating component 31 axially inward (in the direction of the cam thrust), the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting portion 5 are forced in the direction of separation. By applying force to the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting portion 5 in the direction of separation, the sliding friction of the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 relative to the input torque is reduced, thereby reducing the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting portion 5. Therefore, when regenerative force is input from the wheel to the pair of side gears 13 and 15, the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting portion 5 does not become too high, and the regeneration efficiency can be improved. In addition, by applying force in the direction of the opposing cam thrust of the cam portion 39, even the differential limiting portion 5, which uses the cam portion 39 to strengthen the differential limiting characteristic, can reduce the differential limiting characteristic and improve the regeneration efficiency.

[0039] Force-applying component 47, for example Figure 2 As shown, if the deflection increases, the load (force) increases. The load on the force-applying component 47 stabilizes by rapidly increasing to a predetermined deflection, then slightly increasing to a maximum value within the predetermined deflection range, and then slightly decreasing from the maximum value. If the predetermined deflection is exceeded, the load decreases rapidly. Furthermore, the position where the load on the force-applying component 47 begins to stabilize is defined as the initial position 51, the range of load stabilization is defined as the variation region 53, and the position where the load begins to decrease is defined as the ending position 55.

[0040] Here, to protect the electric motor, an upper limit is set for the regenerative torque that can be regenerated to the electric motor. When the regenerative torque input from the differential device 1 to the electric motor reaches the upper limit, the power transmission between the differential device 1 and the electric motor is cut off by a discontinuous mechanism or the like. Therefore, when the regenerative torque reaches the upper limit, it is not necessary to reduce the differential limiting characteristic of the differential limiting unit 5.

[0041] Therefore, the force-applying component 47 maintains the gap between the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 in a manner that controls the friction torque of the differential limiting part 5, which corresponds to the upper limit value of the torque input from the wheel side as regenerative torque. The force-applying component 47 is positioned between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13 and 15 in the initial position 51. The load (force) of the force-applying component 47 in the initial position 51 is set to the upper limit value of the regenerative torque set for the vehicle.

[0042] With the force-applying component 47 in its initial position 51, a gap is formed between the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting part 5. At this time, the cam part 39 receives no input from the conical ring 41 to actuate it, and no cam thrust is generated by the cam part 39. Therefore, the differential limiting part 5 does not perform its differential limiting function until the regenerative torque input from the wheel to the side gears 13 and 15 reaches its upper limit, thus maximizing regeneration efficiency.

[0043] When the force-applying component 47 is in the changing region 53, the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting part 5 slide due to the elastic deformation of the force-applying component 47. At this time, the cam part 39 does not receive input from the conical ring 41 to actuate it, and no cam thrust is generated by the cam part 39. Therefore, when the regenerative torque input from the wheel to the side gears 13 and 15 is near the upper limit value, the differential limiting part 5 functions as an open differential, thereby improving regeneration efficiency.

[0044] When the force-applying component 47 is in the end position 55, it has no deflection other than elastic deformation, and the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting part 5 slide. At this time, the cam part 39 receives input from the conical ring 41 to actuate it, and a cam thrust is generated by the cam part 39. That is, when the force-applying component 47 is in the end position 55, it is deflected due to the predetermined cam thrust of the cam part 39. Therefore, when the regenerative torque input from the wheel to the side gears 13 and 15 reaches the upper limit and regeneration to the electric motor is not required, the differential limiting characteristics of the pre-set differential limiting part 5 can be utilized, thereby improving the vehicle's passability.

[0045] Here, Figure 3The TBR (Torque Bias Ratio) line of the differential device 1 in this embodiment is shown. Furthermore, the TBR of the differential limiting unit 5 relative to the input torque is set to 2.5, and the TBR of the differential limiting unit 5 relative to the regenerative torque is set to 1.65. Within the range of TBR line 57, the force-applying member 47 is in the initial position 51, and the differential limiting unit 5 does not perform its differential limiting function. Within the range of TBR line 59, the force-applying member 47 is in the variation region 53, and the differential limiting unit 5 functions equivalent to the differential limiting characteristics (TBR of 1.3 to 1.4) of an open differential. Within the range of TBR line 61, the force-applying member 47 is in the final position 55, and the differential limiting unit 5 functions with the set differential limiting characteristics (TBR of 1.65). Figure 3 It is clear that in the differential device 1 of this embodiment, by configuring the force-applying component 47, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting part 5 can be accurately controlled, thereby improving the regeneration efficiency.

[0046] Furthermore, the differential housing 7 is a split structure comprising a main body 17 and a cover 19. By making the differential housing 7 a split structure, for example when adjusting the force, it is easy to remove or install the force-applying component 47, and it is easy to make design changes to the force-applying component 47.

[0047] In this differential device 1, there is a differential housing 7 configured to rotate, and a pinion 11 that is rotatably supported within the differential housing 7 and revolves around the differential housing 7 by rotating. Furthermore, there is a pair of side gears 13 and 15 that mesh with the pinion 11 and are rotatable relative to each other, and a differential limiting part 5 disposed between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13 and 15, which limits the differential movement of the pair of side gears 13 and 15 by sliding surfaces 33 and 43. Moreover, a force-applying member 47 is disposed between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13 and 15 to apply force to the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting part 5 in a separating direction.

[0048] By applying force to the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 of the differential limiting section 5 in the direction of separation, the sliding friction of the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 relative to the input torque is reduced, thereby lowering the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5. Therefore, when regenerative force is input from the wheel to a pair of side gears 13 and 15, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting section 5 do not become too high, thus improving regeneration efficiency.

[0049] Therefore, even with the differential limiting part 5, the regeneration efficiency can be improved in such a differential device 1.

[0050] Furthermore, the force-applying component 47 is provided with a bearing 49 between itself and either the differential housing 7 or the side gears 13 and 15.

[0051] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the slippage between the differential housing 7 and either the side gears 13 and 15 and the force-applying component 47, thereby stabilizing the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting part 5.

[0052] Furthermore, the side gears 13 and 15 have a gear component 29 that meshes with the pinion 11 and an actuating component 31 that is configured to rotate integrally with the gear component 29 and move axially via the cam portion 39. Moreover, the force-applying component 47 is configured to apply force in the direction of counteracting the cam thrust of the cam portion 39.

[0053] Therefore, even the differential limiting part 5, which uses the cam part 39 to enhance the differential limiting characteristics, can reduce the differential limiting characteristics and improve the regeneration efficiency.

[0054] Furthermore, when the force-applying component 47 flexes due to the predetermined cam thrust of the cam portion 39, the differential limiting part 5 slides on the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 provided between the differential housing 7 and the side gears 13 and 15.

[0055] Therefore, the differential limiting unit 5 can utilize the pre-set differential limiting characteristics, thereby improving the vehicle's passability.

[0056] Furthermore, the differential housing 7 is driven by the driving force from the electric motor and is configured in a drive path that regenerates the regenerative force from the wheels to the electric motor. Moreover, the force-applying member 47 maintains the gap between the sliding surfaces 33 and 43 in such a way that the friction torque of the differential limiting part 5, which corresponds to the upper limit value of the set regenerative torque, can be controlled.

[0057] Therefore, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting unit 5 can be efficiently reduced by the force application component 47 corresponding to the upper limit value of the regeneration torque setting, thereby further improving the regeneration efficiency.

[0058] Furthermore, the cam angle of the cam section 39 is set differently depending on the direction of rotation.

[0059] Therefore, the differential limiting characteristics of the differential limiting unit 5 can be different depending on the vehicle's driving state.

[0060] The above describes this embodiment, but this embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the spirit of this embodiment.

[0061] For example, in the differential device of this embodiment, the differential limiting part has a conical ring configured to rotate integrally with the differential housing, but it is not limited to this; the conical ring may not be used, and the moving part may slide on the inner wall surface of the differential housing. Alternatively, the differential limiting part 5 may also use a single or multiple ring-shaped friction plate.

[0062] Furthermore, a bearing is provided between the force-applying component and the differential housing, but this is not a limitation; a bearing may also be provided between the force-applying component and the side gear (moving component).

[0063] Furthermore, the pinion and lateral gears are not limited to bevel gears; various gear sets, such as face gear sets and gear sets with parallel shaft configurations, can be used.

Claims

1. A differential device, characterized in that, have: Differential housing, configured to rotate; The pinion, which is rotatable, is supported in the differential housing and revolves by the rotation of the differential housing. A pair of side gears that mesh with the aforementioned pinion and are capable of rotating relative to it; as well as A differential limiting part is provided between the differential housing and the side gears, and the differential of the pair of side gears is limited by the sliding of the sliding surface. A force-applying component is disposed between the differential housing and the side gear to apply force to the sliding surface of the differential limiting part in the direction of separation.

2. The differential device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned force-applying component is provided with a bearing between itself and either the aforementioned differential housing or the aforementioned side gear.

3. The differential device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned side gear has a gear component that meshes with the aforementioned pinion and an actuating component configured to rotate integrally with the aforementioned gear component and be axially movable via a cam portion. The aforementioned force-applying component is configured to apply force in the direction that counteracts the cam thrust of the aforementioned cam portion.

4. The differential device according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the force-applying component deflects due to the predetermined cam thrust of the cam portion, the sliding surface provided between the differential housing and the side gear slides.

5. The differential device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The aforementioned differential housing is driven by a driving force from an electric motor and is configured in a drive path that regenerates the regenerative force from the wheels to the aforementioned electric motor. The aforementioned force-applying component maintains the gap between the sliding surfaces in such a way that the friction torque of the differential limiting part, which corresponds to the pre-set upper limit value of the regenerative torque, can be controlled.

6. The differential device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The cam section is set with different cam angles depending on the direction of rotation.

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